With a panel of judges and Sedgebrook residents looking on, each team prepared an appetizer, an entree and a dessert. Each dish featured a secret ingredient: lobster for the appetizer, a Kona steak rub for the entree and star anise for the dessert.

Le Cordon Bleu-trained Eggert was the audience favorite, with residents including Sara Cooper and Herb Quist cheering her on.

"She's so good, we're afraid somebody is going to steal her away from us," Quist said.

For her appetizer, Eggert, originally from Peru, whipped up a langoustine tempura with Vietnamese noodles, a mango relish and wasabi aioli.

"You have over 500 residents in our independent living side, and to accommodate every different taste bud is a challenge," he said.

Jim Alexander, the facility's executive director said the competition coincided with the start of restaurant week in Lake County. Next year, he said, it will be bigger, with more restaurants taking part and a series of playoffs.